‘We felt like family’: Sefton Park’s Jimmy Dixon on his part in England’s mixed disability series win over India

Jimmy Dixon celebrates a wicket for Sefton Park
Picture by ROB PAISLEY

Seamer Jimmy Dixon said his 5/11 against India was the highlight of his career as he helped England’s mixed disability side to a series win.

The deaf international, who plays for Sefton Park, missed out on the first three games in the pioneering series.

But he made up for lost time in Worcester, removing the dangerous Sai Akash with his first delivery and quickly reducing the tourists to 26/6 to set up a 73-run win.

He said: “I did feel early on it would be a special spell, and it was the best achievement in my international career.

“I didn’t expect to take five wickets but I followed my bowling plans well. 

“The first wicket was my favourite as Akash was player of the series last year between England Deaf and India Deaf.

“I felt like I had a point to prove after having to wait for a chance to show what I could do. 

“I found out I had been selected on the night before at around 10pm – I had a really nervous sleep.”

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After that 73-run win in Worcester made it 3-1 to England, Dixon went on to claim five more wickets in the remaining games as the hosts wrapped up a 6-1 triumph.

The series was the first ever outing for the mixed disability XI, in which the sides have to select at least three players from each of three categories: Deafness, physical disabilities and learning disabilities.

Captain Callum Flynn, from Lancashire’s physical disability side, and Sussex all-rounder Liam O’Brien were among the other impressive performers for England – along with New Brighton’s Chris Edwards, who took four wickets to round off the series with a win in Bristol.

Dixon already knew many of his teammates, either from deaf cricket or from the Disability Premier League, and he thought extending the idea to international cricket made sense.

He said: “I liked being part of the squad. The first few days were quiet but we felt like family by the end of the series.”

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Playing for his country meant spending a few weeks away from Croxteth Drive, but it’s something the club are used to. 

Sefton are seventh in Division One of the Comp after Saturday’s draw at Hightown St Marys; Dixon has 15 wickets so far in the league this year.

He said: “I have received great support from the players, members and committees from every section regarding my selection for England.

“They felt very proud of me and what I have done, with my man of the match performance and winning the series.”

from Merseyside Cricket Online https://ift.tt/mcLqWed